Luvia sampled the gratin as she asked:
"But why send a prince to investigate spies or Restorationists? Is Gray Gloves really that short-handed?"
"Could it be that His Majesty Lion Ryan wants to balance the influence of his three children? So he is deliberately promoting William Anjou?"
Leisha speculated from a political perspective, while Angelina spoke softly:
"Or perhaps investigating the Delinor Restorationists is merely another curtain concealing the truth?"
Galina looked at Angelina with some surprise:
"Yes. This morning, Anros told me that their informant in Wilundell had sent new intelligence. William Anjou's true purpose, like Flora's, is to find someone.
Flora is searching for her missing uncle in order to alter the choice of the Winslet Family's heir. William Anjou's purpose is the opposite: to ensure that the family's choice of heir remains unchanged."
When she finished speaking, everyone at the table looked at her. The Duchess nodded into their startled, doubtful gazes:
"This is top secret, so don't tell anyone—
About twenty years ago, when 'Lion' Laine Anjou was still a prince, he also visited Creekwood Town. After a masked ball, he became intimate with a local girl. The current investigation suggests that the girl may well have given birth to a child, and William Anjou has gone to find that child."
"A masked ball..."
Leisha seemed to recall something, and actually gave Shade a rather stern warning:
"You are not to attend any Masked Balls."
The Outlander could not understand her attitude, but the other girls were equally reluctant to explain it to Shade.
Luvia, meanwhile, suddenly thought of something else:
"Shade, if I remember correctly, you still haven't found out who Baroness Kaming had James Kaming with."
Shade nodded and set the knife in his hand aside:
"You mean James Kaming is twenty-three this year."